More than 200 doctors and experts warn health secretary of ‘enormous pressure’ on already stretched services
Matthew WeaverWed 16 Oct 2024 05.31 EDTLast modified on Wed 16 Oct 2024 07.16 EDTShareMore than 200 doctors and medical experts have warned that the unprecedented demand for new obesity drugs is threatening to overwhelm the NHS.
In a joint letter to the health secretary, Wes Streeting, the healthcare professionals call for an urgent review of services for millions of people struggling with weight.
The letter, coordinated by Obesity Health Alliance (OHA), says: “New pharmaceutical treatments have resulted in unprecedented public demand for treatment services and added enormous pressure on already stretched commissioning structures. This has made action to address longstanding issues across the entire scope of treatment services an immediate priority.”
The OHA points out that 4.1 million people in England are eligible for the weight-loss drug wegovy, and yet the NHS estimates that by 2028, fewer than 50,000 people a year will receive treatment, even with new funding.
Huge demand for the new drugs, which also include mounjaro, has exposed problems with the existing services, the letter says.
Katharine Jenner, the director of the OHA, said: “While the drugs, are safe and effective to be used, they’re just placing even more pressure on the already stretched services.”
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she said: “Rather than being a silver bullet, as it’s quite often talked about, these weight-loss drugs are really just so far only highlighting the weaknesses in our current system.
“So, we’ve all joined together to say that we need urgent government action to make these services sustainable and equitable.”
The letter to Streeting says: “Our vision is for a fully resourced system that delivers equitable access to appropriate, tailored and sustained support services to people living with overweight and obesity. This means guaranteeing a consistent, equitable and evidence-informed treatment pathway based on individual needs, providing appropriate person-centred support for all, in a non-stigmatising way.”
Some specialist obesity management services are so overstretched that they have closed their waiting lists, according to a report by the OHA launched alongside the letter.
It said: “Most people living with overweight or obesity do not receive the recommended level of support from overweight and obesity management services. Provision of all levels of evidence-based services is insufficient and unavailable to a significant number of people.”
On Tuesday, Streeting and Keir Starmer, the prime minister, suggested that the introduction of the weight loss jabs could help improve both the nation’s health and the economy.
Officials have announced plans for new trials to assess the impact of weight loss treatment on unemployment and the effect obesity has on the NHS.
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A five-year trial in Manchester will assess the “real-world effectiveness” of mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide.
Mounjaro, manufactured by Lilly, has been hailed as the king of weight loss jabs after a previous study found people taking the drug, along with support to make changes to exercise and diet, lost an average of 21% of their body weight over a 36-week period.
NHS officials have suggested that the introduction of the drug across England will need to be staggered owing to anticipated high levels of demand.
The OHA said the phased access plan suggested the rollout would take place over 12 years “due to the cost implications and lack of services in primary care to support access for all who are eligible”.
The Department of Health and Social Care said: “We’re tackling the obesity crisis head-on – restricting junk food advertising on TV and online, along with banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16.”
NHS England said: “With the sheer number of people potentially eligible for these treatments and GP teams already delivering record numbers of appointments, the NHS is working with the government and industry to develop new kinds of services which mean approved treatments can be rolled out safely, effectively and affordably, without impacting on other people’s care.”